Hybrid electric vehicle having alternate power sources

ABSTRACT

A hybrid drive for a motor vehicle having a thermal engine for operating with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitable for generating hydrogen is shown. The hybrid drive includes a fuel storage tank, an energy storage device to store energy generated by the thermal engine and a drive motor whose operating state depends on the energy from the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device. The hybrid drive includes an AC/DC converter for producing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior to starting of a hybrid drive. A hydrogen storage device is operatively connected to a hydrogen-generating unit. The hydrocarbon containing fuel is used and stored for generating hydrogen at least one of prior to starting and operation of the hybrid drive for a motor vehicle. The thermal engine can be operated alternatively on hydrogen generated by the hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/305,912 filed May 5, 1999, which issued as U.S. Pat. No.6,536,547 on Mar. 25, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” (SEE 37 CFR 1.96)

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a motor vehicle having alternate power sourcesincluding a direct current voltage storage device and a combustible fuelstorage device and more particularly relates to a hybrid electricvehicle having separate storage devices for a combustible fuel producedby a fuel converter from a composition combustible fuel and for directcurrent voltage and wherein a control device that is operativelyconnected to a direct current motor and to a combustible material orcombustible fuel engine, selectively applies at least one of a firstcontrol signal to the direct current motor and a second control signalto a combustible material motor or combustible fuel engine to enable adriving system driving the hybrid electric vehicle to be powered ordriven by at least one of the direct current voltage and the combustiblematerial or combustible fuel generated from a composition combustiblefuel.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Hybrid electric vehicles powered by direct current motors usingbatteries as energy devices and internal combustion engines powered bygasoline are well known in the prior art. Examples of electric vehiclesare disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,343,970 and 4,099,589. U.S. Pat. No.5,343,970 discloses a hybrid electric vehicle and U.S. Pat. No.4,099,589 discloses an electric car, each of which have a gasolinepowered internal combustion gasoline engine and an electric motor whichis powered by direct current stored in batteries.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,691 discloses a hybrid drive system for outputtingthe power of an internal combustion engine and the power of a motorgenerator through a transmission to drive the vehicle.

Numerous methods have been proposed to manage the stored electricalpower in hybrid vehicle to improve both operating performance anddriving range. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,172 discloses anoperating strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle that manages the flowof energy to both supply the motive demand power of the hybrid electricvehicle and to maintain the charge of the energy storage system.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,980 discloses an electric car drive system having acar drive motor powered by a mounted direct current power supply and acontrol system including a signal generating means to generate signalswhich control motor speed. The direct current power supply is composedof a power battery having secondary cells connected to the motor and anenergy battery formed by fuel cells connected in parallel to the powerbattery via an energy battery control switch. The electric vehicleincludes a charge control means to keep the charge on the power batteryusing the energy batteries if charge of the power battery is below aspecified value.

Motor vehicles having alternate source of power other than batteries forpowering a motor vehicle are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,399,251 discloses a system for generating hydrogen and oxygenusing water in a tank having a solid polyelectric film which separatesthe tank into operating sections and uses electrodes for generatinghydrogen. The power generating system is a separate power source andgenerates a second combustible fuel which is mixed together withgasoline as a first composition combustible fuel to power a motorvehicle using an internal combustion engine.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,136 discloses a hybrid drive arrangement for ahybrid vehicle comprising a thermal engine that is capable of beingoperated on a fuel containing hydrocarbons and capable of generatingoxygen. A storage device is provided for the fuel containinghydrocarbons and an energy storage device for the energy generated bythe thermal engine. A drive motor is supplied, depending on theoperating state, by energy from the thermal engine and/or the energystored in the energy storage device. A hydrogen-generating unit isconnected to receive fuel from the fuel storage and generates hydrogenfrom the combustible fuel. There is no storage device for the hydrogengenerated from the fuel containing hydrocarbons. According to the methodof operation, the thermal engine is operated in a higher driving loadrange on the fuel containing hydrocarbons and on the hydrogen in a lowerdriving range, as well as during starting and warm-up, at a stationaryemission-minimizing operating point, with any remaining power requiredbeing covered by the energy storage device.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,875 discloses a hydrogen-oxygen fueled internalcombustion stationary engine which utilizes an inert gas, such as argon,as a working fluid to increase efficiency of the engine to reducepollution, and facilitate operation of a closed cycle energy system. Ina system where sunlight or other intermittent energy source is availableto separate hydrogen and oxygen from water, the oxygen and inert gas aretaken into a diesel engine into which the hydrogen gas is injected andignited. The exhaust gas is cooled so that it contains only water andthe inert gas. The inert gas in the exhaust is returned to the enginefor use with fresh oxygen, while the water in the exhaust is returnedfor reconversion to hydrogen and oxygen. Storage devices are providedfor the hydrogen and oxygen.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,916 discloses apparatus for controlling the currentssupplied for battery charging and an electric load during charging of anelectric vehicle battery.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,838 discloses a method and apparatus for electricalstorage and pressure charging, by compressed fluid through a venturi,the electrical storage where the electrical storage can take the form ofa battery for operating a motor vehicle and electrical charges areproduced by a generator operated by a turbine connected to a pressurizestorage tank operated when the storage falls below a prescribed leveland in the method, stored compressed fluid operates a generator forcharging the electrical storage.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,004,922 and 6,081,042 disclosed hybrid vehicles havingvarious combinations of control devices and drive motors.

Motor vehicles have also used propane gas stored a pressurized tank andas an alternative to gasoline as alternate source of fuel to power aninternal combustion engine for driving the vehicle.

In hybrid electric vehicles and in electric cars, the batteries functionas a direct current voltage storage device. The batteries are typicallycharged prior to use using an alternating current and known batterycharging systems using alternating current-to-direct current converters.Internal combustion engines may be used to drive battery-chargingcircuits and/or direct current voltage generators as means formaintaining a charge on the batteries during operation of the vehicle.Fuel cells, forming part of an energy battery, are connected in parallelcontrol switch. Fuel to the power battery via an energy battery cellshave been used for maintaining a charge on the power battery.

Due to the absence of standard methods and apparatus for chargingbatteries in hybrid electric vehicles and electric cars, differentmanufacturers of electric vehicles use different charging circuitsthereby requiring the user to locate and use a charging system designedfor the vehicle. This results in an inconvenience to the user, one ofmany objections and reasons inhibiting use of electric vehicles.

Another problem associated with prior art electric vehicles is theinefficient use of fuel cells that convert hydrogen into electricity forcharging the batteries.

Further, there is not a standard method, apparatus or system availablefor offering alternative standardized electrical energies or combustiblefuels for charging or servicing a hybrid electric vehicle or electriccar which are equivalent to services offered in service stations forstandard gas or diesel powered motor cars using internal combustionengines.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses and teaches a new, novel and uniquehybrid electric vehicle having alternate power sources for powering ordriving a hybrid electric vehicle. This invention enables the hybridelectric vehicle to be serviced using a standard alternating currentsource, a standard direct current source and/or a standard combustiblefuel source.

The hybrid electric vehicle of the present invention includes analternating current to direct current converter for producing andstoring a direct current voltage in a direct current voltage storagedevice. A fuel converter that receives a composition fuel in a firststate converts the fuel into a combustible material or combustible fuelin a second state and the combustible material or combustible fuel insaid second state is stored in a combustible material or combustiblefuel storage device. A driving system that transports the hybridelectric vehicle includes a direct current motor, which is operativelycoupled to the driving system and to the direct current voltage storagedevice. The direct current motor is responsive to the stored directcurrent voltage for driving the driving system in response to a firstcontrol signal. A combustible material motor or combustible fuel engineis operatively coupled to the driving system and is responsive to thestored combustible material or combustible fuel in the second state fordriving the driving system in response to a second control signal. Acontrol device is operatively connected to the direct current motor andto the combustible material or combustible fuel engine to selectivelyapply at least one of the first control signal to the direct currentmotor and the second control signal to the combustible material orcombustible fuel engine to enable the driving system to be driven by atleast one of the direct current voltage and the combustible material orcombustible fuel.

In addition, a new and novel method of driving or powering a motorvehicle with alternate fuel sources is disclosed and taught by thepresent invention. The method comprises the steps of producing with analternating current to direct current converter a direct currentvoltage; storing the direct current voltage in a direct current voltagestorage device; receiving with a fuel converter a fuel in a first stateand converting the fuel into a combustible material in a second state;storing the combustible material in the second state in a combustiblematerial storage device; transporting with a driving system the motorvehicle wherein the driving system includes a direct current motoroperatively coupled to the direct current voltage storage device and thedirect current motor is responsive to stored direct current voltage fordriving the driving system in response to a first control signal and acombustible material motor operatively coupled to the driving system isresponsive to stored combustible material in the second state fordriving the driving system in response to a second control signal; andselectively applying with a control device operatively connected to thedirect current motor and to the combustible material motor at least oneof the first control signal to the direct current motor and the secondcontrol signal to the combustible material motor to enable the drivingsystem to be driven by at least one of the direct current voltage andthe combustible material.

In the method, step of selectively applying may include the controldevice selectively applying both the first control signal to the directcurrent motor and the second control signal to the combustible materialengine to enable the driving system to be concurrently driven by thedirect current voltage and the combustible material.

The problem associated with the absence of standard methods for chargingbatteries in a hybrid electric vehicle is overcome by use of a directcurrent voltage storage device and a combustible fuel storage devicewherein the alternative energy sources are prestored and available inthe hybrid electric vehicle prior to use.

A service facility for a hybrid electric vehicle utilizing the teachingsof the present invention may offer any one of or all of the followingenergies: (i) an alternating current, such as for example a 120/240volt, 60 hertz, single phase, alternating current or a 120/240 volt, 60hertz, three phase alternating current or a 120/208 volt, 60 hertz threephase alternating current, which can be plugged into the hybrid electricvehicle or electric car to charge the direct current voltage storagedevice such as for example, a battery, and/or power a fuel converter toproduce and store a combustible fuel in a combustible fuel storagedevice; (ii) a direct current voltage having a standard electricalcharacteristic, say for example, 12 volts DC, for directly charging apower battery thereby eliminating or bypassing the need for an AC/DCconverter, the specifications of which may vary by manufacturer; (iii)filling or charging a combustible fuel storage device directly with acombustible fuel which would otherwise be produced by a compositioncombustible composition combustible fuel; or (iv) a composition fuelcombustible such, as gasoline or other similar composition combustiblefuel.

Thus, different charging circuits from different manufacturers will nolonger pose a problem because a standard 120/240 volts, 60 Hertzalternating current source may be used to charge the direct currentvoltage storage device, e.g. battery, and the combustible materialstorage device can be charged with a combustible fuel, e.g. hydrogen ina pressurized tank.

The prior art problems of the battery being discharged during use oroperation is overcome by use a combustible fuel storage device that canbe replenished during use by a fuel cell or fuel converter using anorganic fuel, such as for example methanol, and the converter convertsthe same to a combustible fuel, such as for example hydrogen, which isstored, used to recharge a battery or drive the combustible enginedepending on the power needs.

As improved fuel cells are developed, the types of fuel that can be usedto generate the hydrogen or other combustible fuel will become moreextensive. Such known fuels include gasoline, hydrolysis of water, purehydrogen and methanol or other composition combustible fuels that can beconverted into a combustible fuel to power recharging of a battery or asfuel for a combustible fuel engine.

As economical and safe minirefineries are developed that can beinstalled into hybrid electric vehicles for use in converting fuels intohydrogen or other combustible fuels, such as for example to convertmethanol into hydrogen to feed a fuel cell or for use as a combustiblefuel to power a vehicle, the use of a separate fuel converter andcombustible fuel storage device, as disclosed and taught herein, resultsin an effective system for powering a hybrid electric vehicle foralternative fuel sources. Such hybrid electric vehicles can be servicedby a service facility offering the alternative fuels in the same manneras gasoline service stations offer multi-grade unleaded fuels forgasoline motor vehicles and diesel fuel for motor vehicles.

None of the known prior art anticipate, disclose, teach or suggest ahybrid electric vehicle having a driving system driven by a directcurrent motor powered by a battery and a internal combustion enginepowered by a combustible charging device adapted to be connected toalternating current for charging the battery and wherein the hybridelectric vehicle comprises a fuel converter for receiving a compositioncombustible fuel in a first state and converting the compositioncombustible fuel into a combustible material in a second state and forstoring the combustible material in the second state in a combustiblematerial storage device. Further, the prior art does not disclose, teachor suggest a control device that is operatively connected to andcontrols the direct current motor for driving the driving system inresponse to a first control signal and the combustible material enginepowered from a separate combustible material storage device for drivingthe driving system in response to a second control signal. The controldevice is adapted to selectively applying at least one of the firstcontrol signal to the direct current motor and the second control signalto the combustible material engine to enable the driving system to bedriven by at least one of the direct current voltage and the combustiblematerial.

Therefore, one advantage of hybrid electric vehicle of the presentinvention is that fuel converter is adapted to receive a compositioncombustible fuel stored in the vehicle in a first state and to convertthe composition combustible fuel into a combustible material in a secondstate and for storing the combustible material in the second state in acombustible material storage device. The vehicle can use either or bothpower sources for driving or powering the vehicle.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the combustible fuelconverter is responsive to a source of alternating current forconverting the composition combustible fuel into a combustible materialin a second state and for storing the combustible material in the secondstate in a combustible material storage device.

Another advantage of the present invention is that a service facilitycan offer an alternating current voltage, a direct current voltage and acombustible fuel to charge or fill each of the separate storage deviceswhich are separate from a standard composition combustible fuel storagetank which stores a standard composition combustible fuel such asgasoline, methanol or the like.

A still another advantage of the present invention is that the hybridelectric vehicle control device controls the alternating current sourceto enable the battery charger to charge the battery to a desiredcharging level and the fuel converter to fill the combustible fuelstorage device to a desired volume level.

A still another advantage of the present invention is that the controldevice in the hybrid electric vehicle can concurrently apply the firstcontrol signal to the direct current motor and the second control signalto the combustible material engine to enable the driving system to bedriven by both said direct current voltage and said combustiblematerial.

A still yet another advantage of the present invention is that a novelmethod of driving a motor vehicle with alternate fuel sources isdisclosed and taught by the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing and other advantages of this invention will be apparentfrom the following description of the preferred embodiment of theinvention when considered with the illustrations and accompanyingdrawings, which include the following Figures:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a hybrid electric vehicle havinga direct current voltage storage device, a fuel converter and a drivingsystem having a direct current motor and a combustible material orcombustible fuel engine for transporting a hybrid electric vehicle;.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a hybrid electric vehicle wherein a controldevice controls an alternating current source to enable the batterycharger to charge the battery to a desired charging level and a fuelconverter produces a combustible fuel for filling the combustible fuelstorage device to a desired volume level or weight;

FIG. 3, is a block diagram of a hybrid electric vehicle using theteachings of the present invention which is capable of charging a directcurrent voltage storage device either directly from a direct currentsource or from an alternating current source and an AC/DC converter;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of a hybridelectric vehicle using the teachings of the present invention wherein adirect current generator is used for charging a battery; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of ahybrid electric vehicle using the teachings of the present inventionwherein a fuel conversion device is used for charging a combustible fuelstorage device for powering a direct current generator or for charging abattery.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Typically, a hybrid electric vehicle includes a driving system that isdriven by either or both a direct current motor powered by a battery andan internal combustion engine powered by a composition combustible fuelsuch as gasoline. A battery-charging device is adapted to be connectedto a source of alternating current for charging the battery. The batteryis charged to a desired charging level prior to use. The hybrid electricvehicle may be driven by a separate internal combustion engine poweredby a composition combustible fuel such as gasoline. During operation,the hybrid electric vehicle may include various means for keeping thebattery charged such as regenerative braking systems, flywheel chargingsystems or by use of direct current generators driven by the internalcombustion motor. The present invention as disclosed and describedherein is adapted to be used with such hybrid electric vehicles.

In the pictorial representation of FIG. 1, a motor vehicle, which is inthe preferred the hybrid electric vehicle, is shown generally as 10 andincludes at the rear thereof a combustible fuel storage area 14 having afuel converter 16 and a combustible fuel storage device 18. Also locatedin the rear of the vehicle 10 is a direct current voltage storage device20.

The vehicle 10 includes a composition combustible fuel filling andstorage system that is depicted by inlet 34 to receive and store acomposition combustible fuel in a tank, such as for example, gasoline.

The hybrid electric vehicle includes an alternating current to directcurrent converter for producing and storing a direct current voltage inthe direct current voltage storage device 20. Such a converter isgenerally known as a battery charger that is adapted to be operativelyconnected to an alternating current source. In addition, a directcurrent voltage source can be connected to the vehicle to directlycharge the battery with a direct current. The input plug adapted to beconnected to either an alternating current source or direct currentvoltage source is shown as 30. The orifice for enabling the charging orfilling of a combustible fuel storage device with a combustible fuel,such as hydrogen, is generally shown as inlet 32. The front of thevehicle 10 includes a driving system 22 for transporting a hybridelectric vehicle that is driven by a direct current motor 24 and acombustible material or combustible fuel engine 26.

The direct current voltage storage device 20 are main power batteries,such as for example lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries or otherrechargeable batteries adapted for use in hybrid electric vehicle.

The block diagram of FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle control system showngenerally as 50 for a hybrid electric vehicle. The includes a directcurrent charging system 52 which, prior to starting of the vehicle,converts an alternating current voltage 100 applied thereto by input 102to produce a direct current voltage for storage in a direct currentvoltage storage device 54.

The control system 50 includes a driving system 62 for transporting ahybrid electric vehicle. The driving system 62 includes a vehicle drivemotor 60 and drive train 64 which drives or transport the vehicle. Adirect current motor 56 is operatively coupled to the vehicle drivemotor 60 of the driving system 62 and to the direct current voltagestorage device 54. The direct current motor 56 is responsive to a storeddirect current voltage for driving the vehicle drive motor in responseto a first control signal from a control device 74. The control device74 is operatively coupled to, monitors, senses and/or controls each ofthe various components via conductors 82.

A composition fuel system, shown generally as 66, includes a fuelconverter, such as for example a fuel converter shown as 146 in FIG. 3,for receiving a fuel or a composition combustible fuel in a first stateand converting the fuel into a combustible material or combustible fuelin a second state. For example, the composition combustible fuel may bean organic fuel such as methanol, which is in liquid form as a firststate. The fuel converter may produce hydrogen from methanol, acombustible fuel in the form of a gas which is a combustible fuel in asecond state. The combustible material or combustible fuel in the secondstate is a gas is stored in the combustible fuel storage 68. It isenvisioned that the gas could be stored under a pressure which causesthe gas to become liquefied. The second state of the combustible fuel asused herein would include the first state and second state being thesame e.g., both liquids.

In FIG. 2, the combustible material may be a combustible fuel such ashydrogen. The combustible material or combustible fuel is stored in aseparate combustible fuel storage 68 which can be filled to a desiredvolume or weight. The fuel converter 146 can be used to maintain orreplenish the volume or weight of combustible fuel in the combustiblefuel storage device 66 during operation of the hybrid electric vehicle.

In FIG. 2, the composition fuel system 66 is adapted to receivean-alternating current, prior to starting of the vehicle, and to beresponsive thereto to cause the fuel converter, or similar device suchas for example a fuel cell, to produce the combustible fuel which isstored in the combustible fuel storage 68.

A combustible material motor or combustible fuel engine 70 isoperatively coupled via a coupling member or drive member 72 to thevehicle drive motor 60 of the driving system 62. The combustible fuelmotor 70 is responsive to the stored combustible material or combustiblefuel in the second state for driving the driving system 62 in responseto a second control signal from the control device 74.

The control device 74 is operatively connected to the direct currentmotor 56 and to the combustible fuel engine 70 via conductors 80 and 82to selectively apply at least one of the first control signal to thedirect current motor 56 and the second control signal to the combustiblefuel engine 70 to enable the driving system 62 to be driven by at leastone of the direct current voltage and the combustible material. In atypical hybrid electric vehicle, the control device 74 via conductors 80and 82 controls the alternating current sources 100 and 104 to enable abattery charger to charge a battery to a desired charging level and thefuel converter to fill the combustible fuel storage device to a desiredvolume or weight level.

The control device 74 may selectively apply both the first controlsignal to the direct current motor 56 and the second control signal tothe combustible fuel engine 70 to enable the driving system 62 to beconcurrently driven by the direct current voltage source and thecombustible fuel storage source.

The combustible fuel storage 68 can be used to drive a direct currentgenerator 86 to produce a direct current voltage that is applied viaconductor 92 to the direct current voltage storage device 54. The directcurrent generator 86 may be a fuel cell, a motor powered by thecombustible fuel to drive a direct current generator, a motor powered bythe combustible fuel to drive an alternating current generator which isapplied to a converter to produce a direct current voltage or otherdirect current generating devices as are known in the art.

In the block diagram of FIG. 3, the a hybrid electric vehicle, using theteachings of the present invention, is capable of charging a directcurrent voltage storage device 112 either directly from a direct currentvoltage source 120 or from an alternating current source 108 and anAC/DC converter 110. The AC/DC converter 100 applies the direct currentvoltage to the direct current voltage storage device 112 via a circuitdepicted by lead 114.

A composition combustible fuel storage device 144 can be filled from asource such as the source labeled “composition combustible fuel”.Examples of a composition combustible fuel would include gasoline ormethanol, which can be converted into a combustible fuel such as forexample, hydrogen. The composition combustible fuel from the storagedevice 144, in its first state, would be applied to a combustible fuelconverter 146 via a transfer system depicted by lead 148.

The combustible fuel produced by the converter 146 is applied by conduit150 to the combustible fuel storage device 138 where the combustiblefuel is stored in its second state.

In the alternative, the combustible fuel to be stored in a separatecombustible fuel storage 138 can be supplied from an external sourcedepicted by arrow 140. This may be supplied by a filling station.

The direct current voltage stored in the direct current voltage storagedevice 112 is applied to a direct current motor 116 to drive the vehicledrive motor 128 via a drive member depicted by lead 130. The vehicledrive motor 128 may be powered by a combustible fuel engine 134 whichapplies the power to the vehicle drive motor by a driving memberdepicted by lead 136.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, the common elements are identified with the samenumerals. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a direct current generator drivenfrom the combustible fuel engine is used to produce a direct current forcharging a battery. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a fuel conversiondevice, which may be a fuel cell, can be used to produce a directcurrent voltage for directly charging a direct current voltage storagedevice such as a battery.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a dual fuel source for a motor vehicle. Themotor vehicle comprises an alternating current to direct currentconverting system located on a motor vehicle which includes an AC/DCconverter 110 and a direct current control 160 to produce a directcurrent voltage having predetermined electrical characteristics. Thesource of an alternating current is depicted by input 108.

A direct current voltage storage device 112, located on the motorvehicle, is used for storing the direct current voltage. The directcurrent voltage is selectively applied to a direct current drive motor116 as described herein.

In FIG. 4, a fuel composition system located on the motor vehicleincludes a composition combustible fuel storage device 144, acomposition combustible fuel converter 146 and a combustible fuelstorage device 138 wherein the combustible fuel produced by converter146 is applied via conduit 150 to the combustible fuel storage 138. Thecombustible fuel storage 138 applies the combustible fuel to acombustible fuel engine 134 which powers the vehicle drive motor 128which, in turn, drives or powers a drive member depicted as 162 totransport the motor vehicle. A control device similar to control device74 in FIG. 3 provides the control signals as described hereinbefore tocontrol the operation of the direct current motor 116 and thecombustible fuel engine 134.

In FIG. 4, as the direct current voltage stored in the direct currentvoltage storage device 112 is depleted, it can be replenished duringoperation by a direct current voltage produced from a direct currentgenerator 164 which is powered by the combustible fuel engine 134 via adrive member depicted by lead 168. The direct current voltage is appliedvia lead 170 to either or both of the direct current control 160 via aconductor depicted by lead 172 to recharge the storage device 112 or beapplied via a conductor depicted by lead 174 directly to the directcurrent motor 116.

In the alternative, a direct current generator, depicted by dashed box180, which could be for example, a fuel cell, would receive thecombustible fuel from the combustible fuel storage device 138 via aconduit 182 and produce a direct current voltage which could be appliedto the direct current control 160 via a conductor depicted by lead 184to recharge the direct current voltage storage device 112 or directly tothe direct current storage device 112.

A control device 74 programs and controls the use of the direct currentgenerated by generators 164 and 180 to maintain maximum efficiency. Whenthe hybrid electric vehicle is operatively connected to an alternatingcurrent source, the control device 74 enables the production of a directvoltage from at least one of an alternating current source and thecombustible material.

In FIG. 5, the fuel conversion device 146 has an organic compositioncombustible fuel supplied thereto from a composition combustible fuelstorage 208 which is filled from a composition combustible fuel sourcedepicted by arrow 210.

An alternating current source, such as for example a 120/240 voltage 60hertz, three phase system, could be used to provide the electrical powerto both charge a battery, depicted by the DC storage 112, and to powerthe fuel conversion device 146. The AC source 108 would be applied to anAC/DC converter 110 as described above. The AC source 206 would beapplied to the fuel converter 146 to produce the combustible fuel tofill or charge the combustible fuel storage device 200 from an organiccomposition combustible fuel which is stored in the fuel storage 208.The combustible fuel from storage device 200 is applied to the engine134 via the fuel system depicted by lead 204. Also, a combustible fuelfrom a source 202 can be applied combustible fuel can be from a servicefacility to the storage device 200. As such, the fuel converter receivesa composition fuel in a first state and converts the composition fuelinto a combustible material in a second state for storing thecombustible material in a combustible material storage device at leastone of prior to the starting of and the operation of the hybrid electricvehicle.

The combustible fuel from storage 200 can be applied to a combustiblefuel-to-DC generator 164 to generate a direct current voltage which isdirectly applied to the DC Storage 112 via a conductor depicted by lead196. In the alternative, a direct current voltage from an externalsource depicted by arrow 190 could be applied directly to and charge theDC storage 112. This may be supplied from a service station facility.

Also, in the alternative, the composition fuel engine 134 can power adirect current generator 164 via a drive member 168 to produce thedirect current voltage.

A fuel cell shown by dashed box 194 could be supplied with a combustiblefuel from the fuel conversion device 146 or from the combustible fuelstorage 200. The fuel cell 194 produces a direct current voltage whichcould be applied to the DC storage 112 via a conductor depicted by lead198. The fuel cell 194 would be powered by the combustible fuel source200 in lieu of powering the fuel conversion device 146 from analternating the current source 206.

The hybrid electric vehicle depicted by FIG. 5 would use control device74 to enable the production of a direct current voltage from at leastone of an alternating current source and the combustible material orcombustible fuel and the applying of the produced direct current voltageto the direct current voltage storage device 112. Also, the controldevice could apply the produced direct current voltage to at least oneof the direct current motor 116 and the direct current voltage storagedevice 112

This invention has utility for use in a hybrid electric vehicle having:(i) a driving system driven by a direct current motor powered by abattery; (ii) an internal combustion engine powered by a combustiblefuel; and (iii) a battery charging device adapted to be connected to asource of alternating current for charging the battery. In practicingthis invention, the hybrid electric vehicle would include a fuelconverter for receiving a composition combustible fuel in a first stateand for converting the composition combustible fuel into a combustiblematerial or combustible fuel in a second state and for storing thecombustible material or combustible fuel in the second state in acombustible material or combustible fuel storage device for use as analternative energy source.

In such a hybrid electric vehicle, a control device is operativelyconnected to and controls the direct current motor for driving thedriving system in response to a first control signal and to the internalcombustible engine for driving the driving system in response to asecond control signal. The control device is adapted to selectivelyapply at least one of the first control signal to the direct currentmotor 116 and the second control signal to the internal combustibleengine 134 to enable the driving system including vehicle drive motor128 to be driven by at least one of combustible material or combustiblefuel.

In the alternative, the control device may concurrently apply the firstcontrol signal to the direct current motor and the second control signalto the internal combustible engine to enable the driving system to bedriven by at both the direct current voltage and the combustible fuel,when necessary for additional power.

In the embodiment of the hybrid electric vehicle of FIG. 5, the controldevice controls the alternating current source to enable the batterycharger to charge the battery to a desired charging level and toconcurrently power the fuel converter to fill the combustible fuelstorage device to a desired volume level or weight.

This invention also discloses and teaches a method of driving a motorvehicle with alternate fuel sources comprising the steps of: (a)producing with an alternating current to direct current converter adirect current voltage; (b) storing the direct current voltage in adirect current voltage storage device; (c) receiving with a fuelconverter a fuel in a first state and converting the fuel into acombustible material in a second state; (d) storing the combustiblematter in the second state in a combustible matter storage device; (e)transporting with a driving system the motor vehicle wherein the drivingsystem includes a direct current motor operatively coupled to the directcurrent voltage storage device and the direct current motor isresponsive to stored direct current voltage for driving the drivingsystem in response to a first control signal and a combustible materialmotor operatively coupled to the driving system is responsive to storedcombustible material in the second state for driving the driving systemin response to a second control signal; and (f) selectively applyingwith a control device operatively connected to the direct current motorand to the combustible material motor at least one of the first controlsignal to the direct current motor and the second control signal to thecombustible material motor to enable the driving system to be driven byat least one of the direct current voltage and the combustible material.

The method during the step of selectively applying may include thecontrol device selectively applying both the first control signal to thedirect current motor and the second control signal to the combustiblematerial engine to enable the driving system to be concurrently drivenby the direct current voltage and the combustible material.

Hybrid Drive For a Motor Vehicle Using a Hydrocarbon Containing Fuel forGenerating Hydrogen

This invention also apples to a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle of thetype disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,136 having a thermal engine. Sucha thermal engine can be operated with a hydrocarbon containing fuelsuitable for generating hydrogen, include a fuel storage tank forstoring said fuel, energy storage device in which the energy generatedby the thermal engine can be stored, and a drive motor whose operatingstate depends on the energy from the thermal engine and/or the energystorage device. The hybrid drive using the teachings of the presentinvention comprise an alternating current to energy converter forproducing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior tostarting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storagedevice located on the motor vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unitoperatively connected to the fuel storage tank and to the hydrogenstorage device for receiving a hydrocarbon containing fuel and forgenerating hydrogen therefrom and at least one of prior to starting andoperation of the hybrid drive for a motor vehicle storing hydrogen inthe hydrogen storage device. The thermal engine can be operatedalternatively on hydrogen generated by the hydrogen-generating unit orhydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device. The thermal engine isconfigured for optional operation on fuel from the storage tank when themotor vehicle is in a higher driving load range, and for operation on atleast one of hydrogen generated by the hydrogen-generating unit andhydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device when the motor vehicle isin a lower driving range.

It is also envisioned that a method of operating a vehicle with a hybriddrive arrangement of the type having a thermal engine that can beoperated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitable for generatinghydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing said fuel, an energy storagedevice in which the energy generated by the thermal engine can bestored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends on the energyfrom the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device utilizing theteachings of this invention is shown. The vehicle would further includean alternating current to energy converter for producing and storingenergy in the energy storage device prior to starting of a hybrid drivefor a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storage device located on the vehicle; ahydrogen-generating unit operatively connected to the fuel storage tankand to the hydrogen storage device for receiving hydrocarbon containingfuel and generating hydrogen therefrom and at least one of prior tostarting and operation of the hybrid drive for a vehicle storinghydrogen in the hydrogen storage device and wherein the thermal engineis configured for optional operation on fuel from the storage tank,hydrogen generated by the hydrogen-generating unit and hydrogen storedin the hydrogen storage device. The method comprises the steps of: in ahigher driving load range, operating the thermal engine on fuel from thefuel tank; and in a lower driving load range, and during starting andoperation, optionally operating the thermal engine on hydrogen generatedby the hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogen stored in the hydrogenstorage device, the engine being held at a low-emission operating point;whereby during operating phases in which the thermal engine is operatedon hydrogen, and a required driving power exceeds power generated by thethermal engine operated at the fixed operating point, an excess powerrequirement is supplied from the energy storage.

This invention also relates to a hybrid drive arrangement for a motorvehicle having comprising in combination a combustion engine which canbe operated on hydrogen and on a hydrocarbon containing fuel from whichhydrogen can be generated; a fuel tank for storinghydrocarbon-containing fuel from which hydrogen can be generated; astorage device for storing energy from the combustion engine; analternating current to energy converter for producing and storing energyin the energy storage device prior to starting of a hybrid drive for amotor vehicle; a hydrogen storage device located on the motor vehicle; ahydrogen-generating unit operatively connected to the fuel storage tankand to a hydrogen storage device for receiving a hydrocarbon containingfuel and for generating hydrogen therefrom and at least one of prior tostarting and operation of the hybrid drive for a motor vehicle storinghydrogen in the hydrogen storage device; a traction motor for drivingthe vehicle, the traction motor being coupled to receive energy from thecombustion engine and from the storage means; a fuel converter forgenerating hydrogen from the fuel stored in the fuel tank; and a controldevice for selectively providing either hydrogen from the fuelconverter, hydrogen from the hydrogen storage device or fuel from thefuel tank to operate the combustion engine. The combustion engine isconfigured for optional operation on fuel from the storage tank when thevehicle is in a higher driving load range, and for optional operation onhydrogen from the hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogen from the hydrogenstorage device when the vehicle is in a lower driving range. In thecombination, the control device further controls said hybrid drivearrangement to operate the combustion engine on the hydrocarboncontaining fuel from the fuel tank during periods of higher output powerrequirements and optionally on hydrogen from the fuel converter or thehydrogen storage device during periods of lower output requirements, andduring starting and warm-up periods for the combustion engine.

In the combination, the control device further controls the hybrid drivearrangement to discontinue operation of the combustion engine andoperating the traction motor solely on energy from energy storagedevice.

The control device further controls the hybrid drive arrangement to beoperative when the combustion engine is operated on hydrogen and arequired driving power exceeds power generated by the combustion engine,to cause said energy storage device to provide energy to the tractionmotor.

The fuel converter prior to start-up is responsive to the alternatingcurrent for converting the hydrocarbon containing fuel into hydrogen andstoring the hydrogen in the hydrogen storage device. The fuel converterconverts and stores a sufficient quantity of hydrogen in the hydrogenstorage device to at least start and warm-up said thermal engine in thevehicle. The fuel converter converts and stores a sufficient quantity ofhydrogen in the hydrogen storage device to enable the control device tooptionally at least start and warm-up the thermal engine in the vehicleusing hydrogen or stored energy whereby the thermal engine is held at alow-emission operating point.

Based on the teaching of the present invention, a method of operating avehicle with a hybrid drive arrangement of the type having a thermalengine that can be operated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitablefor generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing the fuel, anenergy storage device in which the energy generated by the thermalengine can be stored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends onthe energy from the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device isdisclosed. A vehicle using the teachings of the present inventionfurther includes: an alternating current to energy converter forproducing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior tostarting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storagedevice located on the vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unit operativelyconnected to the fuel storage tank and to the hydrogen storage devicefor receiving hydrocarbon containing fuel and generating hydrogentherefrom and at least one of prior to starting and operation of thehybrid drive for a vehicle storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storagedevice and wherein the thermal engine is configured for optionaloperation on fuel from the storage tank, hydrogen generated by saidhydrogen-generating unit and hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storagedevice. The method comprises the steps of: in a higher driving loadrange, operating the thermal engine on fuel from the fuel tank; and in alower driving load range, optionally operating the thermal engine onhydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogen storedin the hydrogen storage device, the engine being held at a low-emissionoperating point.

A method of operating a vehicle with a hybrid drive arrangement of thetype having a thermal engine that can be operated with a hydrocarboncontaining fuel suitable for generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tankfor storing the fuel, an energy storage device in which the energygenerated by the thermal engine can be stored, and a drive motor whoseoperating state depends on the energy from the thermal engine and/or theenergy storage device is envisioned. In practicing this invention thevehicle may further include: an alternating current to energy converterfor producing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior tostarting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storagedevice located on the vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unit operativelyconnected to the fuel storage tank and to the hydrogen storage devicefor receiving hydrocarbon containing fuel and generating hydrogentherefrom and at least one of prior to starting and operation of thehybrid drive for a vehicle storing hydrogen in the hydrogen storagedevice and wherein the thermal engine is configured for optionaloperation on fuel from the storage tank, hydrogen generated by thehydrogen-generating unit and hydrogen stored in said hydrogen storagedevice. The method comprising the steps of: during starting and warm-up,optionally operating the thermal engine on hydrogen generated by thehydrogen-generating unit generated or hydrogen stored in the hydrogenstorage device, the engine being held at a low-emission operating point;and thereafter, alternatively operating the thermal engine on fuel fromthe storage tank and optionally hydrogen generated by the hydrogengenerating unit or hydrogen stored in the hydrogen storage device.

The thermal engine is shown on the drawings and is represented by motor26 in FIG. 1. The traction motor is essentially represented by the motor26 and/or the drive 22 of FIG. 1. The hybrid drive is essentiallyrepresented by the dashed box 50 of FIG. 2.

The fuel conversion device 146 illustrated in FIG. 5 represents ahydrogen-generating unit operatively connected to the fuel storage tankrepresented by organic composition combustible source 208. The organiccomposition combustible source 208 is operatively connected to thehydrogen storage device for receiving hydrocarbon containing fuel andgenerating hydrogen therefrom and at least one of prior to starting andoperation of the hybrid drive for a vehicle storing hydrogen in thehydrogen storage device and wherein the thermal engine is configured foroptional operation on fuel from the storage tank, hydrogen generated bythe hydrogen-generating unit and hydrogen stored in said hydrogenstorage device.

The control device 74 illustrated in FIG. 2 controls the variouscomponents of the hybrid drive in a motor vehicle, under programcontrol, such that during starting and warm-up, the control deviceoptionally operates the thermal engine on hydrogen generated by thehydrogen-generating unit generated or hydrogen stored in the hydrogenstorage device enabling the engine to be held at a low-emissionoperating point and thereafter, alternatively operating the thermalengine on fuel from the storage tank and optionally hydrogen generatedby the hydrogen generating unit or hydrogen stored in the hydrogenstorage device represented by the combustible fuel source 68 in FIG. 2,combustible fuel source 138 in FIG. 4 or combustible fuel source 200 inFIG. 5.

A hybrid electric/thermal engine vehicle may comprise both thecomponents of the hybrid drive arrangement of the type having a thermalengine that can be operated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitablefor generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing the fuel, anenergy storage device in which the energy generated by the thermalengine can be stored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends onthe energy from the thermal engine and/or an energy storage device andinclude an alternating current to direct current converter for producingand storing a direct current voltage in a direct current voltage storagedevice prior to starting of a hybrid electric vehicle. Such a hybridelectric/thermal engine vehicle may include a fuel converter forreceiving a composition fuel in a first state and converting saidcomposition fuel into a combustible material in a second state and forstoring said combustible material in a combustible material storagedevice at least one of prior to the starting of and the operation of thehybrid electric vehicle; an input plug adapted to receive an alternatingcurrent voltage for at least one of powering said alternating current todirect current converter and powering said fuel converter; a drivingsystem for transporting the hybrid electric/thermal engine vehiclewherein the driving system includes a direct current motor operativelycoupled to the driving system and to the direct current voltage storagedevice wherein the direct current motor being responsive to a storeddirect current voltage for driving the driving system in response to afirst control signal. The thermal engine or combustible material engineis operatively coupled to the driving system and to the combustiblematerial storage device. The combustible material engine is responsiveto the stored combustible material for driving the driving system inresponse to a second control signal. The control device is operativelyconnected to the direct current motor and to the thermal engine orcombustible material engine to selectively apply at least one of saidfirst control signal to the direct current motor and the second controlsignal to the combustible material engine to enable the driving systemto be driven by at least one of the direct current voltage and thecombustible material.

The hybrid electric/thermal engine vehicle may include an orificeadapted to receive and transport a thermal fuel or combustible fuel froma source to a combustible fuel storage device.

The hybrid electric/thermal engine vehicle may further comprise an inletadapted to receive a combustible material from an external source andtransport the combustible material for storage in the combustiblematerial storage device.

The hybrid electric/thermal engine vehicle may further comprise ahydrogen fuel cell configured to receive hydrogen as an inputcombustible material and to produce a direct current voltage as anoutput, the hydrogen fuel cell being operatively connected to thecombustible material storage device wherein the combustible materialstored therein is hydrogen.

The hybrid electric/thermal engine vehicle control device applies thedirect current voltage produced by the hydrogen fuel cell to at leastone of the direct current voltage storage device and said direct currentmotor. The control device enables the production of a direct currentvoltage from at least one of an alternating current source and thehydrogen fuel cell.

It is envisioned that the teachings of the present invention may be usedwith conventional hybrid electric vehicle using gasoline as thecomposition combustible fuel for powering an internal combustion engineand re-chargeable batteries for powering a direct current drive motor.This invention would have application in vehicles having a fuel cell, asa secondary battery source, to re-charge a main power battery.

It is further envisioned that as fuel converters are developed which areable to produce a direct current voltage from organic fuels, such asmethanol, that such fuel converters would provide direct current forboth re-charging a power battery or for directly driving a directcurrent motor to provide the maximum power for concurrently driving themotor vehicle from two or more energy sources.

All such variations and incorporating of the teachings of the presentinvention are envisioned to be covered by and anticipated by theteachings set forth herein.

1. A hybrid drive for a motor vehicle of the type having a thermalengine that can be operated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitablefor generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing said fuel, anenergy storage device in which the energy generated by the thermalengine can be stored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends onthe energy from the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device,said hybrid drive comprising: an alternating current to energy converterfor producing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior tostarting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storagedevice located on said motor vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unitoperatively connected to the fuel storage tank and to said hydrogenstorage device for receiving a hydrocarbon containing fuel and forgenerating hydrogen therefrom and prior to starting or operation of thehybrid drive for a motor vehicle storing hydrogen in said hydrogenstorage device and wherein said thermal engine can be operatedalternatively on hydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit orhydrogen stored in said hydrogen storage device; said thermal enginebeing configured for optional operation on fuel from said storage tankwhen said motor vehicle is in a higher driving load range, and foroperation on at least one of hydrogen generated by saidhydrogen-generating unit and hydrogen stored in said hydrogen storagedevice when said motor vehicle is in a lower driving range; a controldevice for selectively apply both a control signal to saidhydrogen-generating unit for receiving a hydrocarbon containing fuel andfor generating hydrogen therefrom and prior to starting or operation ofthe hybrid drive for a motor vehicle storing hydrogen in said hydrogenstorage device and wherein said thermal engine can be operatedalternatively on hydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit orhydrogen stored in said hydrogen storage device; and a hydrogen fuelcell configured to receive hydrogen as an input combustible material andto produce a direct current voltage as an output, said hydrogen fuelcell being operatively connected to said hydrogen storage device locatedon said motor vehicle; and wherein said control device applies saiddirect current voltage produced by said hydrogen fuel cell to saiddirect current voltage storage device or a direct current motor fordriving the motor vehicle and wherein the combustion engine isconfigured for optional operation on fuel from said storage tank whensaid vehicle is in a higher driving load range, and for optionaloperation on hydrogen from said hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogenfrom said hydrogen storage device when said vehicle is in a lowerdriving range.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The hybrid drive of claim 1 wherein saidalternating current to direct current converter includes a directcurrent control device for controlling the direct currentcharacteristics of the direct current voltage and for applying saiddirect current voltage having said predetermined characteristics to saiddirect current voltage storage device.
 4. A method of operating avehicle with a hybrid drive arrangement of the type having a thermalengine that can be operated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitablefor generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing said fuel, anenergy storage device in which the energy generated by the thermalengine can be stored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends onthe energy from the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device,wherein the vehicle further includes: an alternating current to energyconverter for producing and storing energy in the energy storage deviceprior to starting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogenstorage device located on said vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unitoperatively connected to the fuel storage tank and to said hydrogenstorage device for receiving hydrocarbon containing fuel and generatinghydrogen therefrom and at least one of prior to starting and operationof the hybrid drive for a vehicle storing hydrogen in said hydrogenstorage device and wherein the thermal engine is configured for optionaloperation on fuel from said storage tank, hydrogen generated by saidhydrogen-generating unit and hydrogen stored in said hydrogen storagedevice, a hydrogen fuel cell configured to receive hydrogen as an inputcombustible material and to produce a direct current voltage as anoutput, said hydrogen fuel cell being operatively connected to saidhydrogen storage device located on said motor vehicle wherein acombustible material stored therein is hydrogen; and wherein saidcontrol device applies said direct current voltage produced by saidhydrogen fuel cell to said direct current voltage storage device or adirect current motor for driving the motor vehicle, said methodcomprising the steps of: in a higher driving load range, operating thethermal engine on fuel from the fuel tank; and in a lower driving loadrange, and during starting and operation, optionally operating thethermal engine on hydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit orhydrogen stored in said hydrogen storage device, said engine being heldat a low-emission operating point; whereby during operating phases inwhich the thermal engine is operated on hydrogen, and a required drivingpower exceeds power generated by the thermal engine operated at thefixed operating point, an excess power requirement is supplied from saidenergy storage.
 5. In a hybrid drive arrangement for a motor vehicle,the combination comprising: a combustion engine which can be operated onhydrogen and on a hydrocarbon containing fuel from which hydrogen can begenerated; a fuel tank for storing hydrocarbon-containing fuel fromwhich hydrogen can be generated; storage device for storing energy fromsaid combustion engine; an alternating current to energy converter forproducing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior tostarting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storagedevice located on said motor vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unitoperatively connected to the fuel storage tank and to a hydrogen storagedevice for receiving a hydrocarbon containing fuel and for generatinghydrogen therefrom and at least one of prior to starting and operationof the hybrid drive for a motor vehicle storing hydrogen in saidhydrogen storage device; a traction motor for driving said vehicle, saidtraction motor being coupled to receive energy from said combustionengine and from said storage means; a fuel converter for generatinghydrogen from said fuel stored in said fuel tank; and a control devicefor selectively providing either hydrogen from said fuel converter,hydrogen from said hydrogen storage device or fuel from said fuel tankto operate said combustion engine; a hydrogen fuel cell configured toreceive hydrogen as an input combustible material and to produce adirect current voltage as an output, said hydrogen fuel cell beingoperatively connected to said hydrogen storage device located on saidmotor vehicle; and wherein said control device applies said directcurrent voltage produced by said hydrogen fuel cell to said directcurrent voltage storage device or a direct current motor for driving themotor vehicle and wherein the combustion engine is configured foroptional operation on fuel from said storage tank when said vehicle isin a higher driving load range, and for optional operation on hydrogenfrom said hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogen from said hydrogenstorage device when said vehicle is in a lower driving range.
 6. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein said control device further controls saidhybrid drive arrangement to operate said combustion engine on saidhydrocarbon containing fuel from said fuel tank during periods of higheroutput power requirements and optionally on hydrogen from said fuelconverter or said hydrogen storage device during periods of lower outputrequirements, and during starting and warm-up periods for saidcombustion engine.
 7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said controldevice further controls said hybrid drive arrangement to discontinueoperation of said combustion engine and operating said traction motorsolely on energy from energy storage device.
 8. The combination of claim5 wherein said control device further controls said hybrid drivearrangement is operative when said combustion engine is operated onhydrogen and a required driving power exceeds power generated by saidcombustion engine, to cause said energy storage device to provide energyto said traction motor.
 9. The combination of claim 5 further whereinthe fuel converter prior to start-up is responsive to the alternatingcurrent for converting said hydrocarbon containing fuel into hydrogenand storing the hydrogen in said hydrogen storage device.
 10. Thecombination of claim 9 wherein said fuel converter converts and stores asufficient quantity of hydrogen in said hydrogen storage device to atleast start and warm-up said thermal engine in said vehicle.
 11. Thecombination of claim 9 wherein said fuel converter converts and stores asufficient quantity of hydrogen in said hydrogen storage device toenable the control device to optionally at least start and warm-up saidthermal engine in said vehicle using hydrogen or stored energy wherebysaid thermal engine is held at a low-emission operating point. 12.(canceled)
 13. The combination of claim 5 wherein said control deviceapplies said direct current voltage produced by said hydrogen fuel cellto said direct current voltage storage device or a direct current motorfor driving the motor vehicle.
 14. The hybrid electric vehicle of claim13 wherein said control device enables the production of a directcurrent voltage from at least one of an alternating current source andsaid hydrogen fuel cell.
 15. A method of operating a vehicle with ahybrid drive arrangement of the type having a thermal engine that can beoperated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitable for generatinghydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing said fuel, an energy storagedevice in which the energy generated by the thermal engine can bestored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends on the energyfrom the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device, wherein thevehicle further includes: an alternating current to energy converter forproducing and storing energy in the energy storage device prior tostarting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storagedevice located on said vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unit operativelyconnected to the fuel storage tank and to said hydrogen storage devicefor receiving hydrocarbon containing fuel and generating hydrogentherefrom and at least one of prior to starting and operation of thehybrid drive for a vehicle storing hydrogen in said hydrogen storagedevice and wherein the thermal engine is configured for optionaloperation on fuel from said storage tank, hydrogen generated by saidhydrogen-generating unit and hydrogen stored in said hydrogen storagedevice, a hydrogen fuel cell configured to receive hydrogen as an inputcombustible material and to produce a direct current voltage as anoutput, said hydrogen fuel cell being operatively connected to saidhydrogen storage device located on said motor vehicle and wherein saidcontrol device applies said direct current voltage produced by saidhydrogen fuel cell to said direct current voltage storage device or adirect current motor for driving the motor vehicle, said methodcomprising the steps of: in a higher driving load range, operating thethermal engine on fuel from the fuel tank; and in a lower driving loadrange, optionally operating the motor vehicle on the thermal engine onhydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit, hydrogen stored insaid hydrogen storage device or by the direct current motor, said enginebeing held at a low-emission operating point.
 16. A method of operatinga vehicle with a hybrid drive arrangement of the type having a thermalengine that can be operated with a hydrocarbon containing fuel suitablefor generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tank for storing said fuel, anenergy storage device in which the energy generated by the thermalengine can be stored, and a drive motor whose operating state depends onthe energy from the thermal engine and/or the energy storage device,wherein the vehicle further includes: an alternating current to energyconverter for producing and storing energy in the energy storage deviceprior to starting of a hybrid drive for a motor vehicle; a hydrogenstorage device located on said vehicle; a hydrogen-generating unitoperatively connected to the fuel storage tank and to said hydrogenstorage device for receiving hydrocarbon containing fuel and generatinghydrogen therefrom and a hydrogen fuel cell configured to receivehydrogen as an input combustible material and to produce a directcurrent voltage as an output, said hydrogen fuel cell being operativelyconnected to said hydrogen storage device located on said motor vehicleand wherein said control device applies said direct current voltageproduced by said hydrogen fuel cell to said direct current voltagestorage device or a direct current motor for driving the motor vehicleand prior to starting or operation of the hybrid drive for a vehiclestoring hydrogen in said hydrogen storage device and wherein the thermalengine is configured for optional operation on fuel from said storagetank, hydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit and hydrogenstored in said hydrogen storage device, said method comprising the stepsof: during starting and warm-up, optionally operating the thermal engineon hydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit generated orhydrogen stored in said hydrogen storage device, said engine being heldat a low-emission operating point; and thereafter, alternativelyoperating the motor vehicle with the thermal engine on fuel from thestorage tank and optionally on hydrogen generated by the hydrogengenerating unit; hydrogen stored in said hydrogen storage device or bythe direct current motor.
 17. A hybrid drive for a motor vehicle of thetype having a thermal engine that can be operated with a hydrocarboncontaining fuel suitable for generating hydrogen, a fuel storage tankfor storing said hydrocarbon containing fuel, an energy storage devicein which the energy generated by the thermal engine can be stored, and adrive motor whose operating state depends on the energy from the thermalengine and/or the energy storage device, said hybrid drive comprising:an alternating current to energy converter for producing and storingenergy in the energy storage device prior to starting of a hybrid drivefor a motor vehicle; a hydrogen storage device located on said motorvehicle; a hydrogen-generating unit operatively connected to the fuelstorage tank and to said hydrogen storage device for receiving ahydrocarbon containing fuel and for generating hydrogen therefrom and atleast one of prior to starting and operation of the hybrid drive for amotor vehicle storing hydrogen in said hydrogen storage device andwherein said thermal engine can be operated alternatively on hydrogengenerated by said hydrogen-generating unit, hydrogen stored in saidhydrogen storage device or hydrocarbon containing fuel; a hydrogen fuelcell configured to receive hydrogen as an input combustible material andto produce a direct current voltage as an output, said hydrogen fuelcell being operatively connected to said hydrogen storage device locatedon said motor vehicle wherein a combustible material stored therein ishydrogen; and wherein a control device applies said direct currentvoltage produced by said hydrogen fuel cell said direct current voltagestorage device or a direct current motor for driving the motor vehicleand wherein the motor vehicle is configured to be driven by the thermalengine on hydrocarbon containing fuel from said storage tank when saidmotor vehicle is in a higher driving load range and for operation onhydrogen generated by said hydrogen-generating unit, hydrogen stored insaid hydrogen storage device or by the direct current motor when saidmotor vehicle is in a lower driving range.
 18. The hybrid drive of claim17 further comprising a control device for selectively applying both acontrol signal to said hydrogen-generating unit for receiving ahydrocarbon containing fuel and for generating hydrogen therefrom and tostarting or operation of the hybrid drive for a motor vehicle storinghydrogen in said hydrogen storage device and wherein said thermal enginecan be operated alternatively on hydrogen generated by saidhydrogen-generating unit, hydrogen stored in said hydrogen storagedevice or hydrocarbon containing fuel.
 19. The hybrid drive of claim 17wherein said alternating current to direct current converter includes adirect current control device for controlling the direct currentcharacteristics of the direct current voltage and for applying saiddirect current voltage having said predetermined characteristics to saiddirect current voltage storage device.
 20. The hybrid drive of claim 17further comprising a control device for selectively applying both acontrol signal to said hydrogen-generating unit for receiving ahydrocarbon containing fuel and for generating hydrogen therefrom andprior to starting or operation of the hybrid drive for a motor vehiclestoring hydrogen in said hydrogen storage device and wherein saidthermal engine can be operated alternatively on hydrogen generated bysaid hydrogen-generating unit or hydrogen stored in said hydrogenstorage device.
 21. The hybrid drive of claim 17 wherein saidalternating current to direct current converter includes a directcurrent control device for controlling the direct currentcharacteristics of the direct current voltage and for applying saiddirect current voltage having said predetermined characteristics to saiddirect current voltage storage device.